Radon in lake-bottoms in exploration for uranium drill targets
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Radon geochemistry of lake-bottom water and sediment would be a detailed exploration tool in the
Athabasca Sandstone and other areas where giant uranium deposits are found under lakes.
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Gamma radiation is blocked by water, and under-lake uranium ore bodies and radioactive
boulder trains cannot be
detected by airborne or ground gamma-ray scintillometer or spectrometer surveys. The Midwest Lake
uranium deposit is under the lake and was found by drilling up-ice from a radioactive boulder
train.
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When we sampled the surface water around the edge of Midwest Lake we found that
the arm of the lake near the eventual discovery was anomalous in radon.
See
www.finderschoice.com/radon/midwest.php.
It is likely that our radon anomaly is due either to the
extension of the boulder train under lake, or to broken up and weathered portions
of the orebody on the lake bottom.
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Had we run a grid over that arm of the lake, collected water samples near the bottom, and
analysed them for radon, it is likely we would have defined a much smaller target suitable
for drilling.
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Radon gets into lake-bottom water either (1)by decay of radium in the sediments, which might
include portions of a boulder train and/or broken up and weathered chunks of the ore body,
or (2)by influx of surface or ground water with radon in solution. Radon does not move very far.
It is very soluble in water, has a low diffusion rate and 3.8-day half-life.
There are
no radon bubbles. Below the water table there is no mobile gas phase to scrub out and
transport the radon. Radon moves with the water movement, if any.
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Once radon gets into the lake water it will not move into the sediments.
It will not get trapped by clays or organics or get precipitated.
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We can also collect lake-bottom sediment samples and analyse them for radium. There is some
evidence that uranium, being more soluble, is more readily leached from sediments,
leaving a detectable radium anomaly.
Link.
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With our instruments, radon and radium analyses are available immediately in the field.
Radon must be done within a week; radium can be done any time.
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If chunks of ore and coarse sand are releasing radon into the water, then sampling fine
sediments (like organics and clay) might miss the anomaly!
We should also collect bottom water samples and analyse them for radon.
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INSTRUMENTS
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We measure: radon - radium - thoron - radon daughters - alpha radiation.
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The Lucas cell is recognized as the most sensitive and reliable method for these elements.
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Our instruments are used around the world in exploration for uranium, oil & gas, groundwater and hydrothermal,
and in health physics, earthquake prediction, and evaluation of hydrocarbon and NAPL contamination.
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In the radon business since 1968, our latest major instrument update was 2011.
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Modern, low-power, field-rugged electronics.
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Sensitive to geochemical trace levels necessary for radon in lake water and for radon-thoron isotope ratios.
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Can work in a tent without electricity or be carried from point to point in the field.
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40 readings per day. Results available immediately.
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Can be operated by junior personnel if carefully supervised.
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Same instruments used for radon and radium in soil, sediment,
plant parts, rocks, water, soil gas, air, and snow, and for radon daughters in air.
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Click here for pictures of instruments.
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Click here for or other instruments, components and
assessories we provide
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For instruments contact
R.H. Morse & Associates Ltd.
1-416-269-9979
morse@finderschoice.com
skype: robert.morse.toronto
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Multilingual consulting and training (if required).
Robert H. Morse, Ph.D., P.Eng.
October 15, 2008
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